Division of Forestry

Director, Jim Karels

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner

Blackwater RiverState Forest

Land Acquisition• Blackwater River State Forest (BRSF) was

initially leased from the Federal government in 1938 and purchased in 1954. The original purchase consisted of 183,184 acres.

• Over the years through the Preservation-2000 and Florida Forest Forever Programs, along with in-holding additions the Forest has grown to 209,610 acres.

Bid Prospectus will address the winning bidder’s requirement to:

• Establish a liaison with Blackwater River State Forest• Clearly delineate leased premises • Identify, and mitigate any potential impacts to listed species• Identify and mitigate any potential impacts to archeological resources• Identify and mitigate any potential impacts to surface water• Comply with all established protocols for ground disturbing activities • Insure leased area remains in a fire-wise condition• Other terms and conditions as may be common to this type of land lease.

Lease will require:• Term of years and conditions for renewal • Covenants and conditions of occupation and use of the premises• Prescribe lease consideration and other lease payment obligations and

amounts • Protocols and requirements to mitigate impacts to the resources of the

premises to include plant, animal, and water resources.• Prescription for the restoration of ground cover for the lease premises

upon lease termination• Other terms and conditions as may be common to this type of land

lease

Selection of Wellhead Sites Within Leases Premises

• Sensitive areas maps at BFC will be consulted to ensure wellhead sites don’t adversely impact sensitive plant and animal species, including pitcher plant bogs, seeps, rare plant sites, and designated red-cockaded woodpecker cluster zones. Access roads to well sites should also avoid these areas. A mitigation and restoration will be in place and approved by DOF before any well site is developed.

• Before wellhead sites are located in red-cockaded woodpecker foraging zones, and foraging habitat analysis will be conducted before improvements are made. This analysis will indicate what, if any, mitigation is required.

• When wellhead sites are to be abandoned, the sites will be restored. If the wellhead site placement required the removal of wiregrass-dominated groundcover, then the wiregrass-dominated groundcover will be restored. Restoration success will be reviewed and approved by DOF including the State Forest Ecologist and by the Ecology Unit at Blackwater River State Forest.

Reclaimed Drilled Site 1114

Reclaimed Drilled Site 1114

Edge Between Reclaimed and Natural Stands

Reclaimed Site Ground Cover

Ground Cover On Adjacent Natural Stand

Questions

Tom LeDew Blackwater Forestry Center850-957-6140 ext 108ledewt@doacs.state.fl.us